United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

OCTOBER 12, 2010
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

AMARILLO MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO
FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSE

AMARILLO, Texas — Michael Ansley Twing, 32, of Amarillo, Texas, pleaded guilty this morning before U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson to one count of possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Twing was arrested early last month on an indictment charging one count each of receipt and possession of child pornography, but was released on bond. He faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release; a sentencing date was not set.

According to documents filed, in April 2006, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was investigating a criminal organization operating a commercial child pornography website known as “Home Collection,” Michael Twing was identified as a subscriber.

In November 2009, Twing was again identified in a national investigation as a subscriber to a members-only restricted child pornography website. An analysis of payment records revealed that on April 7, 2009, Twing attempted to enter his credit card number to gain access to that website. The investigation confirmed that the personal identifying information belonged to Twing and the required payment information for access to the website was correct. However, Twing entered the wrong last digit of his credit card and consequently the charge for access to that child pornography site could not be processed.

In February 2010, a federal search warrant was executed at Twing’s residence and agents seized a laptop computer, a desktop computer, floppy disc, assorted DVD’s and other materials. A forensic exam of the equipment revealed approximately 100 images of child pornography and seven videos of child pornography, with most of the images involving a prepubescent minor and some involving sadistic or masochistic conduct.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

The case is being investigated by ICE and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Drake of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Amarillo.

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